Control valve for wells



March 25, 1941. G. D. JOHNSON CONTROL VALVE FOR WELLS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Fi-led Dec.

March Z5, 1941. G D JOHNSON coN'rnoL VALVE Fon wELLs ,A um y March 25, 1941. G. D. JOHNSON CONTROL VALVE FOR WELLS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /Vvv 1. n .vO m 11 Z I D, ,Ms M /f Y VK 0 M w. A @WH Patented Mar. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Baash-Ross Tool Company, Lo's Angeles, Calif., acorporation of California fippiicationpecembeg 21, 193e; serisrNo. 116,872 claims. (Crear-1s) This invention relates to` Well equipmentand relates more particularly to a controll gate or control valve for a Well. AA general object'of` this invention is to provide a simple, practical and a dependable control gatev or control valve for a well that is operable to controlv or prevent the dischargeoi iiuid from the Well when the drill pipe is extending into `the Well and when the drill pipe is removed from the Well;

In deep Well drilling operationsA it isthe gene eral practice to equip the upper end of the well casing with a large gate or valve operabley to close oi thel casing'when the drill pipe is removed from the well and a second gate or control valve'for l5 closing od the'casing and for packing' about the drill pipe when the latter extends into the casing. These two valve structures or gates are very costly and occupy substantial space in the upper f end of the casing necessitating a deep cellar at the derrick or special meansfor mounting the drilling equipment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a single compact control gate for'a Well casing .that is operable to control or shut in thefwell when the drill pipe iseX-tending into the casing and when the drill pipe isremoved from the casing-. rhe single valve orgate of the present invention is capable of dependablyl performing theiunctionsof the two gates heretofore'usually employed-ori Well casingsandyet is inexpensive and occupies a minimum' ofspace' at the upper end of the casing'.

Another object of thisinven'tion isto provide a control gate orvalve ofv thechar'a'ctei'nien` tionedfthatembodies novel closure'elenients that arel mounted and shaped' to leave the passage through the Well casing entirely unobstructed when in the open orrintermediate position' and that are operable to fully close of'the'upper'end 40 of the casingv when the drill pipe isouto'f 'the casing-and to effectively seal about" the drill pipe to close off the casing'when the pipe v`isextending into thel well.' f

Another object of this invention isito provide a control gate or valve'of the character mentioned in which the closure membersorfvalve members are provided' With practical effective packing means forpacking with the interior'ofthe housing, for packing between the two valve members and for packing about the drill pipe-when necessary.

Another object of this invention is to provide a casing-gate or valve `of thecharacter mentioned l Y in whichrv the packing; material` on thev closure meinbers'is'eiiicientlyxconned b'yfoating plates.

Another object of this invention is to provide an'V improved control'h'ea'd or valve of 4the characte' mentioned which the packing assemblies of thevalve'members may be removed and replaced withoiit dismantlingv the'entire structure. 5

A further object of-this" invention is to provide an'iinproved gate .or valve for a well casing that is simple and inexpensive and'that is easily installed and serviced. The various" objects and features'of my inven- 10 tionwill be'fully understood from the'following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications ofy my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 15

Fig. 1 isaV sideelevation of one: form ofthe casing valveof thev invention. Fig. 2 is a fraginenta'ryvertical,v detailed, sectional View taken asfiridicated by linel 2,-2Vv on Fig, 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical; detailed sectional view taken as indi- 20 cated'byline i'on Fig. 1. Fig. lisa horizonv tal detailed sectional ViewA taken as indicated by line '4e-4cm Fig. lshowing the Worm in elevation and illustrating the Valve' members sealing aboutl the drill pipe. Fig; 5 is an enlarged frag- 25 mentary vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-1-5 on Fig'. lshowing-the valve memberspacki-ngabout the drill pipe. Fig. 6 is a reduced view similar to' Fig. 5 showing the valve members in the intermediate? position. Fig. 7 is a View similar to' Fig.5 showing the valve members inthe closed posltion'when there is no drill pipe extending'into theL casing, and Fig', 8 is a reduced side elevation vil-tavillustratingl another form of operatingmea'ns. 35 The embodiment oflthe'present invention illust'ratedvr in Figs. 1 toi?,v inclusive, of theA drawings includes, generallyyaliousing or body lll tobe applied to'ltlelupperend of' ay -well casing'- C, os'- ciuanng closurefmembers or valve members A 40 an'dB' in" the body* I0, packing means I|`0n`the valve 'members A and B andfmeans' l2 for shifting'oropeiating the valvemembers `A and B.

The housing-for? body I0 is a hollow `or`cham ber'ed` structureintended to be* connected with 4 the uppere'ridofthe-We'll casing C. The body is provided-With a longitudinal or'vertical opening l3ftoregister with theop'eningin the Well casing. The -opening I 3'V extends' completely through the bodyylll and isl preferablycylindrical andof sub- 50 stantially thefsame diameter as the openingin vthe casing C. Suitable means is provided for connectinglth'ebody l0 With'the casing' C. In the`1=st`ucture 'illustrated; a flange hl` is' provided orithe'lowverf end of Ithe body-'l ands bolted'to a55 C. A flange I6 may be provided on the upper end of the body I around the opening I3 t0 facilitate the connection of fittings, etc., with the body.

provided with a transverse opening I1 intersecting the opening I3. The longitudinal axis of the opening Il is preferably at right angles to the axis of the opening I3. The transverse opening I'I is relatively large in diameter and is preferably cylindrical. The opening I'I enters one side of the body I6) and a ilat, substantially vertical wall i3 occurs at its inner end. An `opening I9 of reduced diameter and in concentric relation to the opening I'I extends into the body II) to have its inner end at the Wall I8. The outer end of the transverse opening I'I is closed by a head or cap 23. The cap 29 may be removably secured to the body lil by bolts or studs 2l. The inner side of the cap 23 presents a flat, substantially vertical wall 22 at the end of the opening I'I. A cylindrical socket 23 is provided in the inner side of the cap 2li in concentric relation with the opening Il. The large transverse opening II in the body I 9 is provided to receive the valve members A and B while the opening I9 and the socket 23 are provided to receive the shafts or trunnons of the members, as will be hereinafter described.

The closure elements or valve members A and B are provided to close off the opening I3 communicating with the upper end of the casing C in the event that high pressures suddenly develop in the well. The valve members A and B are alike or complementary in shape and have the general configuration of sectors of an annulus or ring. The sides 24 of the members A and B are generally flat and are radial relative to the longitudinal axis of the opening I'I. The ends 25 of the members A and B are flat and substantially parallel to the adjacent opposing end walls I8Vand 22 of the opening I1. The outer sides or peripheries 29 of the members A and Br are cylindrically curved and are concentric with the cylindrically curved wall of the opening I1. It is a feature vthat the inner sides or interiors of the members A and B have grooves 21 with cylindrically curved walls that are concentric with and coincident with or outward of the cylindrical plane of the wall of the opening I3 when the members A and yB are in their open or intermediate positions illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. When the members A and B are in the positions illustrated in 6 the notches or grooves 21 in eiect constitute continuations of the opening I3 so that drill pipe and'other equipment may be operated through the casing C without interference; The lower sides of the members A and B are provided with complementary grooves 28 having cylindrically curved walls. The grooves 28 are adapted to more or less freely receive the drill pipe P when the members A and B are in the operative positions illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. An axially extending rib 29 projects from the periphery 2S of each member A and B. The ribs 29 are located substantially midway between the sides 24 of the members. The outer surfaces of the ribs 29 may be cylindrically curved and may slidably engage the wall of the body opening I'I. The sides of the projecting ribs 29 preferably converge inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the body opening II.

The invention provides eifective means for supporting the members A and B for oscillatory movement about a common horizontal axis coin- In accordance with the invention the body Il) is similar ange I on the upper end of the casingV cident with the axis of the opening II. The valve member A is provided with a tubular boss or trunnion 3U rotatable or turnable in the above described socket 23. The trunnion 39 is rigid with the member A and in practice may be integral with the member A. The valve member B is provided with a horizontally projecting stub shaft or trunnion 3I turnable in the opening of the tubular trunnion 3U. The trunnion 3l may be integral with the member B. The end of the member B adjacent or opposing the wall I8 has a horizontally projecting tubular trunnion 32 rotatably or turnab-le in the opening I9. The trunnion 32 is lrigid with the member B and may be integral with the member. The tubular trunnion 32 extends completely through the opening I9 to project from the exterior of the body l0. The valve member A is provided with a horizontally projecting shaft or trunnion 33 turnable in the tubular trunnion 32. pletely through the trunnion 32 and may be integral with the member A. From the above it will be seen that the two valve members A and B have telescopically arranged journals or trunnions supporting them for oscillatory movement about the longitudinal axis of the opening I'I.

The invention preferably includes means for sealing about the supporting parts or trunnions of the members A and B. A channeled sealing leather or washer 34 is recessed in the inner portion of the opening 23 to seal about the trunnion 30. The inner wall 22 of the cap 20 may be bevelled outwardly to the washer 34 and the trunnion may be shouldered at the washer 34 as illustrated. A similar channeled Washer 35 is recessed in the inner end of the trunnion 30 to seal about the trunnion 3|. A grooved or channeled sealing washer 36 is recessed in the inner portion of the opening I9 to pack about the inner part of the trunnion 32. The body wall I8 may be bevelled outwardly to the washer 36 and the trunnion 32 may be shouldered at orv adjacent the washer. A similar channeled washer 31 is recessed in the inner end of the trunnion 32 to seal about the trunnion 33'. and 31 are expanded or conditioned by internal fluid pressures to prevent the leakage of fluid outwardly around the several trunnions.

The packing means I I are carried by the members A and B to seal with the internal walls of the body IIJ and to cooperate to fully pack or seal oil the opening I3 and, therefore, the upper end of the casing C when there is no drill pipe or other equipment in the well and to seal with the internal walls of the body I0 and to pack about the pipe P when the same is extending into the casing C. The packing means II includes two units or assemblies on the periphery Aof each of the members A and B. Each packing assembly includes an outer floating plate 3B and an inner plate 39. The outer plates 39 have cylindrically curved outer surfaces adapted to slidably engage the wall of the opening I'I. The inner plates 39 are shaped to conform to and seat on the cylindrical peripheries 26 of the members A and B. The plates 38 and 39 extend circumferentially from adjacent the ribs 29 to planes beyond the sides of the members and extend axially or longitudinally of the members to have their ends slightly inset from the ends of the members.

Bodies or layers 49 of rubber or other packing material are interposed between `the plates 38 and 39. In accordance with the invention the layers 49 of packing material may be vulcanized The trunnion 33 extends com- L The washers 34, 35, 39

.on the opposing surfaces of the platesf38 and 39. Dove-tailed tongues 4| may be provided v`onfftl'ie opposing surfaces ofthe plates 38and'39 to'be .embe'ddedinthe layers 40 vof packing. Inserts A42 of dove-tailed cross-'sectional 'configuration 'are molded or vulcanized in the inner'longitudinal edges of the layers A 'and are adapted to receive or cooperate with dove-tailed tongues'43 on lthe convergent sidesof the ribs 29 to secure .the rpacking assemblies to'thefribs. The layers '4D Koi rubber or packing'material extend to the opposite ends of the sections Aand B and project beyond the Aends of the plates 38 and 39. Iheend portions of the'layers 40'may overlie fthe :ends of the plates'38 and-*39 andpresent Vfiat end` surfaces for 'cooperating with the walls vI8 `and22 as best illustrated-in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The=upper longitudinal edges or sides 44 of the rlayers '46 of the uppermost packing' assemblies are straight, flat and unbrokenrandlare adapted'to abut orfcooperate when the members A and/B are swung totheipositions illustrated in Fig. '1 of the drawings. The upper edgeportions of these layers may be'notched or inset in the edge portions of the plates 38 and 39 as illustrated, to present extensive sides 44. When the sides or surfaces 44 of the uppermost packing layers 40 are in cooperation they leectively prevent the upward passage of fluid through the opening I1. The lower longitudinal sides 45 of the layers '40 of the lower packing assemblies are flat and straight, being substantially radial relative to the axis of movement of the members `AA and B. Notches 46 are provided in the lower Asides of the lower packingassemblies to interrupt the surfaces 45 andthe lower ksurfaces or edges of the plates 38 and 39. The notches-46 Iare partially cylindrical and their walls are curved concentric with the walls of the above .described grooves 23. The packing layers 40 of the lower packing assemblies may be recessed or inset .in the lower edges lof the plates '38 and 39 to present extensive sealing surfaces 45. When the members A and B are operated to the positions illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings the grooves 28 and the notches 46'receivethe drill pipe P so that the surfaces 45 come into sealing cooperation. The surfaces of the layers 140 partially deningthe notches 46 contact and fseal about the pipe P as clearlyillustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

The plates 38 and 39 eifectively confine the layers 46 of the packing assemblies and yet may move or iloat inwardly towardthe ribs 29 when the assemblies are subjected to active compression strains whereby the cooperating surfaces and the sealing surfaces of the packing layers 40 may effectively operate. It will :be observed that the above described packing assemblies may be readily assembled on and removed from the members -A and y13. When the plate 28 is removed from the body Il] the packing assemblies may be readily slid from the members A and B, the inserts 42 freely sliding off the tongues 43. New or replacement packing assemblies may be slid into place so that the inserts 42 slide over or receive the tongues 43.

The means for operating the members A and `B is operable to swing the members from the intermediate positions illustrated in-Fig. 6 of the drawings to the operative positions illustrated in Fig. 7 and Figs. 4 and 5. `In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs-1 vto '1, lin- -clusiva of the' drawings, 'the v"oizverating f'means .l l2 .includes .two `quadrant.gears 41. The gears T41 :are'isupported foroscillatory movement about horizontal .axes by shafts "48 which in turn are carriedbyiarms 49 projecting from the body i0.

The 'gears y41 are inspaced opposition and are L.

lprovided with `worm gear teeth 50. A rotatable yWorm' 5I `is located between the quadrant gears Y41`to mesh with their teeth 50. A shaft 52 drives the worm 5| 1and is adapted to vbe rotated by ymanual means or yany other suitable operating means. The shaft52 -is'journalled in arms 53 projecting'from kthe 4body I6. kBushings 54 are provided'on the shaft 52 and 4'engage against the "arms 53. Thrust bearings 55 are arranged 'between the ends of the worm 50 and the inner 'ends Vof the bushings '54 for the transmission of theend'thrusts on the worm. 'Sleeves 56 may enclose the bushings 54 and the bearings 55.

The means l2 includes operative connections between the ymembers Aand B andthe quadrant ..gearsr41. vAcollar `51 surrounds the projecting ,portion of the trunnion 32 and is connected theretoby'keys58. 'The collar'51 carries a crank `arm or crankf59. yA pin l" onthe trunnion 33 flts1anaXial lsocket 6| :in-aiboss 63a on a crank 63 and is connected thereto by keys 62. The crankf63is1similar .tothe crank 59. The crank T559iprojectsupwardly relative to the axis of rotationr ofthe members A and B while the crank 63 projects downwardly relative to the said axis.

-Each 'crank 59 uand 63 has an elongate slot 64. yPins-65 are turnable in openings 66 in the quadrant `gears 41 and carryzheads or blocks 61 which .slidably yoper-ate `in the slots 64. Nuts 68 prevent thel loss or 'displacement of the pinsv 65 from the "3 .gears =411 andppr'event displacement of the blocks '61 from the slots'64.

It willfbe'apparent that turning of the worm 5I resultsin simultaneous swinging of the quadrant-gears 41 'in opposite vdirections about their axes. This movement of the gears 41 is translated into'swinging vmovement of the cranks 59 ea'ndfBS bythe blocks l:61 imo-ving in the slots 64. Whenthe members A and B are in their normal positions illustrated vin Fig. 6 of the drawings `the cranks y59 `andii are substantially vertical. Upon turning of the worm .5| 'in `one direction the'cranks-59 VKare simultaneously swung to the right 'or to the left to move the members A and B r`to operative positions, it being understood that the. direction of movement of the'members A .and-B depends upon the direction yof turning of the worm 5I. It is to be particularly noted that Aanincrease in yleverage or mechanical advantage `is -obtained linthe operationof the members A and-Bras the members approach the closed or operative positions. As the members A vand B yare 'operated the blocks 61 move outwardly in the slots 64and when the `members A and B approach their closed positions the blocks 61 are moving inthe outerr portions of the slots vand therefore, aregreater distances from the axis of movement of the cranks so that increased leverage is obtained and an increasingly greater mechanical advantage results due to the changingv relationship between the gears 41 and the related crank arms. The above described operating means/i2 is capable of developing great force or power tooperate the members A and B to their closed vpositions against high internal pressures that may ber present in the body I0.

Y Fig.` 8 of the drawings illustrates a form of construction in which thegears 41a are operated -by "aftranslatable `racky 10. The gears' 41amay-be that they have gear teeth 1I suited to mesh with the teeth on the double rack 10. The rack 10 is supported and guided for movement by bearings or guides 12 which may be carried by the above described arms 49. The gears 41a are operatively associated with the cranks 59 and 63 in the same manner as the gears 41. In the structure illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings the rack 1D may be operated by a cylinder and piston mechanism. As illustrated in the drawings an operating rod 13 is connected with the rack 10 and extends to a cylinder and piston mechanism 14. The rod 13 may be connected with the piston rod of the mechanism 14 or may constitute the piston rod of the same. It is believed that it will be understood how the cylinder and piston mechanism 14 is operable to move the rack 10 in either direction to effect the desired movement of the valve members A and B.

It is believed that the operation of the device or valve provided by this invention will be understood from the foregoing detailed description. Under normal drilling conditions the members A and B are in the intermediate positions illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings where their grooves 21 are aligned with the opening I3 whereby drill pipe and other equipment may be passed through the casing C without interfering with the members. Thus the presence of the Valve at the upper end of the casing does not interfere with the usual or normal well drilling operations. In the event that high pressures suddenly develop in the well it may be deemed desirable to close off the upper end of the casing. If the drill pipe P is extending through the casing C when the high pressures develop the shaft 52 is turned in a direction to move the gears 41 to the positions illustrated in Fig. 2. During the movement of the gears 41 from their normal positions toward the positions illustrated in Fig. 2 the blocks 61 cooperate with the slots 5I to cause turning of the cranks 59 and 63. This turning of the cranks 59 and 63 is accompanied by a corresponding and simultaneous turning of the members A and B. Thus the members A and B are simultaneously swung to the positions illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

When the members A and B approach these positions the pipe P is received in the notches 28 and 46 and the layers 40 of packing material contact and seal about the pipe P at the walls of the notches 46. The surfaces 45 of the layers 40 of packing material cooperate to close off the space about the pipe P. It is to be understood that the shaft 52 may be turned until the layers 4t of packing material in the lower packing assemblies are compressed to tightly and effectively seal about the pipe P and to close oft the opening I3 about the pipe. As pointed out above, the leverage or mechanical advantage of the blocks 61 operating in the slots 64 increases as the members A and B approach the closed positions so that a considerable force may be imposed on the members to assure the proper and complete closing off of the upper end of the casing about the pipe P. The layers 4U of packing material in the lower packing assemblies, in addition to sealing about the pipe P and cooperating with one another, seal with the peripheral walls of the opening I1 and the end walls I8 and 22 so that the well pressures are prevented from passing upwardly through the body. It will be observed that the members A and B may be rapidly swung to the closed position about the pipe P without the adjusting or positioning of any parts.

In the event that high pressures suddenly develop in the well when there is no drill pipe or other equipment extending into the casing C the shaft 52 may be turned in a direction to cause the gears 41 to eii'ect swinging of the cranks 59 and 63 in a direction to turn the members A and B to the positions illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawings. When the members A and B assume the positions illustrated in Fig. 7 the side surfaces 44 of the layers 40 of packing material come into cooperation to effectively seal between the two members. The layers 40 of packing material of the two upper packing assemblies also seal with the wall of the opening I1 and with the internal walls I8 and 22 of the body so that the members A and B operate to fully close off the opening I3 against the upward passage of fluid pressure. The means I2 is such that the members A and B may be tightly urged against one another when in the positions illustrated in Fig. '1 to assure the complete closing oil of the well.

The gate or control valve of the present invention is a simple, compact unit that may be readily connected with the upper end of the casing. The valve occupies but little space and may be readily arranged in the cellar of a typical well derrick. The packing assemblies of the means I I are removably arranged on the members A and B so that they may be easily and quickly replaced when necessary without removing the members from the body I0. The floating plates 38 effectively conne the layers 40 of packing material and yet allow the packing material Ato operate effectively. The means i2 for operating the members A and B between their open and closed positions is positive and is such that considerable force may be applied to the members in the event that high pressures are present in the casing C. In the event that very high pressures may be encountered in the well it may be found advisable to operate the means I2 by a cylinder and piston mechanism in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8, so that the members A and B may be moved to their closed positions against any pressures that may be encountered.

The operating means I2 and the operating means disclosed in Fig. 8 are fully described and claimed in my divisional application entitled Valve actuating mechanism, Serial No, 161,263, led August 27, 1937, now Patent 2,157,263, granted May 9, 1939,.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A control gate for a Well casing including, a body to be connected with the casing and having an opening to form a continuation of the opening in the casing, a transverse opening intersecting the first named opening, a socket in one end of the transverse opening and a reduced bore at the other end of the opening, a pair of valve members in the transverse opening, means supporting the members for swinging movement between open positions and positions where they cooperate to close 01T the first named opening when the same is empty and positions where they cooperate to seal about anobject extending through the first named opening to close off the opening, said supporting means comprising a tubular trunnion on one member turnable in said socket, a trunnion on the other member turnable in the tubular trunnion, a tubular trunnion on said other member turnable in the bore, and a trunnion on the rst mentioned memb-er turnable in the last named tubular trunnion, and means for swinging the Valve members between said positions.

2. A control gate for a well casing including, a body to be connected with the casing and having an opening to form a continuation of the opening in the casing and a transverse opening intersecting the first named opening and having its opposite ends closed, a pair of Valve members in the transverse opening, means supporting the members for swinging movement between open positions and positions where they cooperate to close oiT the rst named opening when the same isk empty and positions where they cooperate to seal about an object extending through the rst named opening to close off the opening, said means including pairs of telescopically related trunnions projecting from the members at said opposite ends of the transverse opening, and means for swinging the Valve members between said positions.

3. A closure element for a control gate comprising a substantially sector shaped closure, a packing assembly on the `periphery of the closure including, a part seated on the periphery of the closure, a body of packing on said part, and a plate on the said body to partially conne the saine, an axially extending rib on the periphery of the closure forming an abutment for the said body, a dovetailed tongue on the rib, and an insert in said body receiving the tongue to removably hold the assembly on the closure.

fi. A packing assembly for a valve member comprising a part. bearing on the member, a body of packing on said part, and a conning plate on said body, and means removably holding the assembly on the member comprising an insert in the said body and a tongue and groove connection between said insert and the member.

5. A packing assembly for a substantially sector shaped closure including, a part seated on the periphery of the closure, a body of packing on said part, and a plate on the outer surface of the body t-o partially conne the body, and an axially extending tongue and groove connection between the closure and the assembly for removably holding the assembly on the closure.

GLENN D. JOHNSON. 

